Drive-in service device x



. v T T A 5 Sheets-Sheet l I'NVENTOR SHERMANEMcCLINTOCK S E M CLINTOCKDRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE Oct. 14, 1952 Flled July 9 1949 Oct. 14, 1952 s.E. M CLINTOCK 2,613,762

DRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE Filed July 9, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4- INVEN TORSHERMAN E.McCLlN TOCK Oct. 14, 1952 s. E. MCCLINTOCK DRI E-"IN SERVICEDEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1949 INVENTOR SHERMAN E. MCCLIOct. 14, 1952 s. E. M CLINTOCK DRIVE-IN SERVICE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed July 9, 1949 SHERMAN [.McCLINTOCK m ATTY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1952 2,613,762 DRIVE-1N ssavrcs DEVICE Sherman E.McClintock, Orlando, Fla, assignor of one-half to Paul J. Stine,Orlando, Fla., and. one-half to Imogene McClintock Application July 8,194.9, Serial No. 103,779

(Cl. 186 l) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a conveyor apparatus primarily for use as abanking or store service, whereby, business may be quickly dispatchedbetween a customer in a parked car at a curb, in a parking lot, or otherparking location, and a teller in a bank, a clerk in a store, or otherperson in a spaced location.

The primary object of this invention is provision of a conveyorapparatus having towerlike end portions one of which I will term thecustomer or parking tower which has anopening, positioned to face aparked car, with an enclosure for said opening at approximately autodoor windowdistance from curb or ground level, the opposite tower, whichI will term the teller, clerk or operator tower, having a similar windowopening facing the teller, clerk or operator and at a suitable distancefrom a buildin floor level, said tower-like portions being connected bya structure for placement under ground as between said tower portionsand forming a tunnel therebetween, said apparatus housing a carriage andconveying means therefor to and from said tower like portions, via saidtunnel.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the detaileddescription thereof proceeds.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, arrangement andrelative location of parts all in accordance with the disclosure herein.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, illustrating one form ofpositioning the tower-like portions and their connecting undergroundtunnel arrangement, and showing the customer tower door open and thereceptacle tipped outward for loading or unloading thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of this invention with the enclosure wallremoved, and in dash lines illustrating carriage position in theoperator tower.

Figure 3 is an end view with a portion of the enclosure wall removed,with carriage in the operator tower.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of tower door tilting means forthe receptacle.

Figure 6 is a circuit arrangement for controlling the actuation of thisconveyor, not shown in structural views for clarity of same.

Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternate form of receptacle for use withthis apparatus.

Figure 8 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 9 is an end elevation thereof.

The true natureand manner of use of a conveyor in accordance with thisinvention will, be

bestv understood by detailed description of the structure and actuatingmeans thereof 'showniin the drawings'in an illustrative sense.' I I Nowreferring tov the drawings A indicates, in general, a frame work whichmay be conveniently built in skeleton form of angle'material, as shown,however this is not to be construed as a limitation, said frame havinguprights 2 transverse and longitudinalnmembers 3 and'l,

respectively, in fixed engagement. with said upht members, and, withintheiibounds of said frame work, auxiliary frame members primarily forsupporting means for various-elements hereinafter described. Saidframework is enclosed by enclosure plates 5, with the exception of onelower outer end of the apparatus, as at 6, Figure l, which is, open, ormay-.- ha,ve doorgenelosure for entrance to conveyor mechanism andespecially mechanism in the tunnel portion of the; an;- paratusfor thepurpose'-of--;-making repairs and. the like, windowpaned door-enclosuresl and .8

in the customer and operator towers l8, and 1.9, respectively, andwindow-members 9 and It respectively, for--vision of customer by the"teller or clerk who is the operator of the conveyona factor of extremevalue when the .conveyorxis used in connection with a banking-service.

general as'C, whichincludes receptacle 2! which preferably is of V-shapeso that when it is tilted,

as hereinafter defined, whereby one face thereof will be 'on asubstantially horizontal plane for easy access thereto, however thisshape is not a limitation as-Imaydesire to modify: same, .as

for example as shown in Figures 7 to 9 -inclus iye, wherein I retain the.V-shape and join .to. it a l rectangular receptacle. 29'. Ineithencase. the receptacle is of transparentmaterial not 33 matter ofchoice'but to. give an-operator, full vision thereof; thru windows 9 and10,12. further item of special value when the conveyor is. used as abanking service to observetheplacement or removal of an item in-o ,frohe and, has top dQQr inclqsures 2iandzzz eac which is hinged to acentral transverse top strip 23 by means of spring hinges to retain samein closed pos tion.

Completing the carriage is a yoke member 24 which carries receptacle 26,the upper ends 25 of the yoke branches being angled in and to thereceptacle and placed in engagement therewith by means of rivets, screwsor like means, lower cross member '26 of the yoke forming a seat forweights 2! which form a counterbalance to the receptacle and areremovably fastened in place by screws 28, clips or other suitable means,said counterweight retaining the carriage in vertical position duringits conveyance to and from said towers, as the carriage is swingablethru stub shafts 36 and 3I extended outward from opposite branches ofthe yoke member and having bearing in bearing blocks 32 and 33,respectively, said bearing blocks being clipped on or otherwise securedto oppositely disposed links in spaced parallel endless sprocket chains34 and 35, however to further elimination of lateral swing of carriage Cduring vertical travel thereof I provide rolling contacts 65 engagedlateral to and with the inner face of one of the yoke branches whichride between tracks 66 and 67, inner track 61 being shortened at theupper end thereof to not interfere with tilting of the carr age.

For directional guidance of sprocket chain 34 I'use sprocket idlers 46,M, 42, 43, and 44 and driven sprocket 45, and for guidance for sprocketchain 35 sprocket idlers 46, 41, 48, 49, and 56 and driven sprocket 5|,all idlers having bearing thru their respective stub shaft with bearingsremovably engaged with and supported by auxiliary frame members as shownin the drawings.

v Actuating means for said sprocket chains from driven shaft I5 is thrugears 54 and 55 mounted on said shaft and meshed with gears 56 and 51,

' respectively, mounted on the outer ends of shafts 58 and 59, forrotation of said shafts and sprockets 45 and 5I, respectively, carriedon the inner ends of said shafts and keyed or otherwise secured thereto,and to relieve downward strain on the sprocket chains as the conveyorpasses thru the tunnel portion angle chain rests 52 are installedbetween inner upright frame members 2.

Delivery to or removal from receptacle 26, after conveyance to eithertower is by means of tilting the receptacle downward and toward adoorway to the respective tower. On reference to Figure 5 it will beobserved that this is ac- 'complished by means of a lift member 66 whichis engaged transversely centrally of the lower edge of a door frame andwhich, as a tower door isopened by means of a' pull knob I3, in open- 1ing door I or catch H5 in opening door 8 swingin the same outward on itspivot hinge 6, is

swung upward contacting a roller extension 62 to yoke 24 thereby urgingthe lower portion of the yoke inward from its pivotal points and causinga tilting ofthe upper portion outward and downward.

, Actuating means for this conveyor is primarily electrically controlledand Figure 6 illustrates a circuit for this purpose, however thiscircuit should not be considered as a limitation as other circuits maybe arranged including a circuit, whereby travel of the conveyor may bereversed thus limiting conveyor travel to the upper orlower'longitudinal sprocket chain plane and vertical planes in thetowerportions directly connected therewith. In defining the electricalcontrol, as shown in Figur 6, it will be presumed that the conveyor isin normal inactive position wherein the carriage is located in thecustomer towerjhaving been left there on completion of a previoustransaction, and, under this inactive relationship of elements, doors land 6 leading to customer and operator towers I8 and I9 respectively areclosed, closing respective door switches 76 and. TI, engaged therewith.To start a days business the operator closes key lock switch I2. A cycleof operation is commenced by a customer pressing switch button 73,closing the circuit to audible or visible element 14, such as a bell,buzzer, or light, located within hearing range or sight of the operator,to which the operator responds by pressing switch button 15 closing thecircuit to magnetic door release I6 thereby unlocking door I which thecustomer swings downward and outward to open, breaking contact of doorswitch I6, and as previously described, tilting the carriage outward. Oncompletion of his business the customer closes door 1 thereby closingthe plunger door switch I6 and circuit for motor operation, on closingof switch 86 by the operator, to transfer carriage to operator tower l8,thru conductor ll, operator door switch II, which is closed duringtravel of the carriage or until operator opens his door, and conductorI9, including emergency stop switch 86, conductor 8| thru key switch 12,conductor 83 to one side of service line 85, the above circuits remainclosed while the operator closes switch 86 completing the circuit tomotor conductor 81, however closing of "switch 86 is momentary andcauses energizing of magnetic contactor 88 closing contacts 89 whichthru line 96 energizes brake magnetic contactor 9| thru interlockercontactors placing motor in operation and means associated with saidmotor for conveyance of the carriage to the operator tower, andreleasing the motor brake.

As the carriage approaches its normal loading or unloading position intower I9 the bearingblock 32 assumes the role of a wiper and as itencounters the trigger of motor limit switch 92 it urges said triggerupward breaking contact of said switch, and after passing same makessimilar contact with the trigger of motor brake limit switch I62 openingsame and thereby braking the motor by de-energizing the brake releasecoil thru conductors I64 and I65, thrulines I66 and I6! respectively,and closing contacts I68 of magnetic contactor 9I.

The carriage having reached its normal position in the operator tower,shown in dash lines in Figure 2, the operator manually releases doorcatch H5 and swings door 8 outward, breaking contact of operator doorswitch ll and tilting the carriage, as previously described and oncompletion of loading or unloading same said door is closed closingswitch II after which the operator closes switch 86 completing thecircuit to the motor, a described, and the carriage in a mannerpreviously defined is returned to customer tower I8, however, this timebearing block 32 wipes motor limit switch and thereafter motorbrake'limit switch I66 stopping the carriage in its normal position inthe customer tower, as shown in Fig. 2.

The purpose of emergency switch 86 is to permit an operator to stop thecarriage at any point in its line of movement, however to return car-vriage to starting tower it must first complete its travel to theoppositely disposed tower and return 5 therefrom. aside. from allowingfor repairs or adjustmentto the conveyor mechanism', pre1 ventstampering with carriage contents. whenonce placed in movement fordelivery to the opposite tower.

As a matter of convenience, there is: installed with the conveyor andabove-described circuit an inter-communicating system, indicated ingeneral as D.

While I have shown and described the. structure of this conveyor as forunderground communication it seems obvious; that should it be advisable,or necessary due to. underground ob.- struction, the conveyor with minorreversing changes and modifications, such as repositioning pivotalhinges SI of tower doors: I and 8, is in.- vertible, the longitudinalportion of the conveyor housing becoming an overpass.

I desire it understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular application or precise construction illustrated herein, butthat various applications, modifications and variations may be made.without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, andI deemmyself entitled to all such applications, modifications and variationsas come within the scope of claims appended hereto.

vWhat is claimed:

1. Conveyor apparatus for. use as a banking or storev service .dev'rcecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one. tower toadjacent the top of the. other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe. top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle; on said.'con-. veyormeans, track means in said passage'andsaid towers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engagingsaid track means, a door ad? j-acent the top of said customertower, saidtrack means. having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, andmeans for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting whenthe anti.-

friction means of said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuousportion of said track, and

when said receptacle. and said door are in juxta-' posed position. p

2. Conveyor apparatus for use as a. banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassagewayand extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction mean forengaging said trackmeans, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said track meanshaving adiscontinuous portion'adjacent said door, and meansadapted forengagement with said receptacle and causing the same to swing on itspivotal mounting when the antiiriction means of said receptacle isopposite the said discontinuous portion of said ,track,-'and when saidreceptacleand said door are in juxtaposed. P05151011,v d c acl en aement means in m u den s id eer hereb the opera ion of said door causestilting of said receptacle w on 7 they are in juxtaposed position. a 3.Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking. or. store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mounted topof the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passagexand saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging saidtrack means, a door adjacent the topof said customer tower, said trackmeans having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and meansincluding a member on said receptacle for causing the receptacle toswing on itspivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of saidreceptacle is opposite the said discontinuous. por-. tion of said track,and when said receptacleand said door are in juxtaposed position, saidtowers being positioned opposite to each other and each havingtransparent window means.

4, Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a ,vertically mounted customertower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a Dama e way extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other ,tower,; conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the. other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passa e and saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging saidtrack means, a door ad,- jacent the top of said customer tower, saidtrack means havingv a discontinuou portion ad.- jacent said door, andmeans adapted for engage ment with said receptacle and causing the same.to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti,- friction means of saidreceptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, andwhen said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, saidreceptacle engagement means being mounted on said door whereby theoperation of said door causes tilting of said receptacle when they arein juxtaposed position, said towers being positioned opposite to. eachother and each having transparent window means...

5. Conveyor apparatu for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passage way extending from adjacent the top'oijone tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, cone. veyor means located in saidpassageway and ex?- tending from adjacent the top of one tower to ad:jacent the top of the other tower, a receptacle;

means pivotally mounting said receptacle on said conveyor means, trackmeans in said passage and said towers, said receptacle having antifriction means for engaging said track means, a door adjacent the top ofsaid customer tower, said track means having a discontinuous l flrtionadjacent said door, and means for causing the receptacle to swing on itspivotal mounting when thefanti; iriction means of said receptacle isopposite; the Sa d sc rnment eert e Q s i ra k When said receptacl and ad door-are.

posed position, said towers being positioned opposite to each otherand'each having transparent window means, said transparent windowmeans-including said door.

6. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said receptacle havin anti-friction means for engaging saidtrack means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said trackmeans having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and meansincluding a member on said receptacle for causing the receptacle toswing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of saidreceptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, andwhen said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position,electrical means for driving said conveyor means and electrical controlmeans including brake means for discontinuing the electrical drive meansand applying said brake means when said receptacle is opposite to thedoor on said customer tower.

'7. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers'and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging saidtrack means, a door adjacent the top of said customer tower, said trackmeans having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and meansadapted for engagement with said receptacle and causing the same toswing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction means of saidreceptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portion of said track, andwhen said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposed position, saidreceptacle engagement means being mounted onsaid door whereby theoperation of said door causes tilting of said receptacle when they arein juxtaposed position, electrical means for drivin said conveyor meansand electrical control means including brake mean for dis-, continuingthe electrical drive means and applying said brake means when saidreceptacle is opposite to the door on said customer tower.

8. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passagesage and said towers, said receptacle havinganti-friction means for engaging said track means, adoor adjacent thetop of at least one of said towers, said track means having adiscontinuous portion adjacent said door, and means for'causing thereceptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting when the anti-friction meansof said receptacle is opposite the said discontinuous portions of saidtrack, and when said receptacle and said door are in juxtaposedposition, said receptacle having lid means thereon.

9. Conveyor apparatus for .use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle,fmeans pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said'receptacle having anti-friction'means for engaging saidtrack means, a door adjacent the top of at least one of said towers,said track means'having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, andmeans 'for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting whenthe anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the saiddiscontinuousportion of said track, and when said receptacle and saiddoor are in juxtaposed position, said receptacle having a pair ofpivoted lids whereby access may be had to the same from either thecustomers or the service tower.

10. Conveyor apparatus'for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a, vertically mountedservice tower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending from adjacent the top of one tower toadjacent the top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction means for engaging saidtinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and said doorare in juxtaposed position, said receptacle having a central transverseszrip and a pair of pivoted lids mounted on said s mp.

11. Conveyor apparatus for use as a banking or store service devicecomprising a vertically mounted customer tower, a vertically mountedservicetower and a passage connecting said towers and forming with saidtowers a passageway extending f rom adjacent the, top of one tower toadjacentihe top of the other tower, conveyor means located in saidpassageway and extending from adjacent the top of one tower to adjacentthe top of the other tower, a receptacle, means pivotally mounting saidreceptacle on said conveyor means, track means in said passage and saidtowers, said receptacle having anti-friction means I01. engaging saidtrack 9 means, adoor adjacent the top of at least one of said towers,said track means having a discontinuous portion adjacent said door, and

means for causing the receptacle to swing on its pivotal mounting whenthe anti-friction means of said receptacle is opposite the saiddiscontinuous portion of said track, and when said receptacle and saiddoor are in juxtaposed position, said last-named means including amember on said door and a cooperating member on said receptacle wherebythe opening of said door will tilt said receptacle when they are injuxtaposed position.

SHERMAN E. MCCLINTOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

, 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS v Number Name Date 740,395 Carroll Oct. 6,1903 r 844,806 Jones Feb. 19, 1907 0 1,575,776 Londy Mar. 9, 19262,044,391 Lindsay June 16, 1936 2,405,294. Delucchi Aug. 6, 1946 FOREIGNPATENTS 10 Number Country Date 271,392 Germany Mar. 11, 1914 OTHERREFERENCES "Popular Science Monthly, October 1941. 15 page 63.10940. 1 I

